Dr. Carol A. Krush

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Krush, Dr. Carol A. age 80, passed away on September 24 surrounded by four of her closest loved ones. Carol was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Thaddeus and Anne, and grew up in Newton, MA, and Omaha, NE. Carol graduated from Omaha Central High and later, Wellesley College and Case Western Reserve Medical School. She interned at Baltimore City Hospital and then worked for fifteen months as a general practitioner in the village of Mobai in Sierra Leone, West Africa. She moved to Minneapolis in 1972 to complete her residency at Hennepin County Medical Center. She then dedicated her professional career to serving the Native American community of Minneapolis for more than three decades, first at the Indian Health Board Clinic, followed by the Native American Community Clinic (NACC) which she co-founded with Doctors Lydia Caros and Lori Banaszak, and Susan Hibbs, NP in 2003. Upon her retirement in 2010, Carol was given the honorary name Eagle Medicine Woman (Wanbli Pejuta Winyan in Lakota and Migizi Mashkiki Quay in Ojibway) by Native Healer, James Claremont. Carol was an avid outdoorsperson who loved hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, biking, and walking around Minneapolis' many lakes. Carol especially loved dancing and was an avid reader. After she retired, Carol's non-leisure activities included her service as a board member for NACC and her tireless advocacy for single payer healthcare through the Saint Joan of Arc chapter of Health Care for All Minnesota. Carol is survived by her partner Steve Williams, her children Brian Bernards (Lalita Singhasri) and Bryce Bernards (Susan Tynan) and her grandkids (Jack and Rowan). Carol is also survived by her four siblings, Christopher, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Kathy. Many friends and relatives will remember Carol as a tremendous source of energy and as an empathetic listener blessed with a generous spirit of inclusivity. There will be a formal Celebration of Life at St. Joan of Arc Church on Saturday, October 21 (visitation 10 a.m., service 11 a.m., luncheon 12 p.m.), followed by a remembrance gathering at Beard's Plaisance. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Carol's life may support one of the many organizations she was passionate about: the Native American Community Clinic (nacc-healthcare.org/…), The St. Joan of Arc Outreach Fund (saintjoanofarc.org/…), and Al-Anon/Alateen (call 952-920-3961 to donate).

Published on October 1, 2023